I wonder if there is anyone who is truly free in this world? I’d doubt so. People may say that they have freedom but they don’t. What actually is freedom? What does it mean to be free? People often think that birds are free because they get to fly anywhere, but are they? Are they actually free? Maybe not, because we humans are destroying their homes, cutting down trees. Are they still free when they have no where to go?

from_the_belly_of_the_bird_by_theshadowstorm

Due to having overprotective parents, when I was younger I yearned to go out and play at the playground with my friends. Living in an area which was known for having a high crime rate even then, it wasn’t safe for me to go to the playground which was just a few blocks away. Sooner or later I was slowly allowed to go out and play at the playground, walk to my friend’s house which was in the area, walk home from school sometimes. I thought it was nice to be able to do the things my friends did everyday. The more you are restricted, the more you want to do those things.

After getting my mobile phone, my mom loosened her grip on me. I noticed that she would allow me to go out and asking less questions each time. Before that I would be bombarded with questions like ” are there parents present? any boys going? how many people are going and with who?” Stuff like that. When she heard that there were boys going, the straight answer was No =) and if there were no parents it was also a No. That was the type of freedom I thought I wanted when I was younger, and it was the only freedom I ever thought there was.

Upon growing older, I start to wonder what is the real meaning of freedom? When you search for the definition this is what you get…

free·dom play_w2(“F0307300”) (frdm)

n.

1. The condition of being free of restraints.

2. Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.

3.a. Political independence.

b. Exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action; civil liberty: freedom of assembly.

4. Exemption from an unpleasant or onerous condition: freedom from want.

5. The capacity to exercise choice; free will: We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.

7. Frankness or boldness; lack of modesty or reserve: the new freedom in movies and novels.

8.a. The right to unrestricted use; full access: was given the freedom of their research facilities.

b. The right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship: the freedom of the city.

9. A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference: “the seductive freedoms and excesses of the picaresque form”John W. Aldridge.

a

Which one of those do we actually have? I don’t believe that anybody has no.1 , wherever we go we are bound by society’s views, rules and regulations. You can’t do things in public that will taint your family name, you have to dress the way they dress, you have to behave a certain way to be accepted in certain societies, no obscenities , vulgarities and such. So how do you say that you are free of those? Yes, to be part of a society you have to play by their rules. Because though humans are thought to be born innocent, we are easily influenced by our surroundings and these rules are there to make sure that we do not run wild like animals.

a

However, what is the freedom of speech that we are said to have? There are many sensitive issues in the world that if brought up would cause war and other problems. War only brings misfortune and nothing else, what do you gain from sacrificing so many innocent lives? World peace is only a dream everybody wishes for despite our differences. But because of those differences we are not able to attain what we wish for. Each country has a government, most would say that the citizens of their country have freedom of speech. Only the freedom of speech of each country varies to a certain extent. There are still many restrictions to it, many aren’t able to voice their opinions openly but it is still spread through word of mouth.Many are afraid to voice their opinions but they would be surprised how their views might be the same with others.

a

True freedom, I think is one thing we would never attain, perhaps until we leave this world there would be a chance.